Lifestyle

ACT Emergency services have your hearts on their minds

ACT Emergency Services are asking Canberrans to learn to look after their hearts, through exercise and education.

ACT Fire & Rescue has invited colleagues in other Emergency Services and the community to join them in the annual Darren Wall ACT Emergency Services Heart Challenge at Lake Burley Griffin on Sunday.

“To celebrate Heart Week, we have invited the community to take a stroll or jog around the lake and remember a former firey who passed away from a heart attack,” ACT Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Officer Conrad Barr said.

“In its 13th year, the event is an opportunity to raise awareness of the warning signs of a heart attack,” he said.

“Darren Wall was a popular firefighter with ACT Fire & Rescue for 12 years and once again, we are proud to have the Heart Foundation involved.”

“Around 10,000 Australians die of a heart attack every year and thousands more risk permanent heart damage or disability because they didn’t get help quickly enough,” CEO of the Heart Foundation ACT Tony Stubbs said.

“People who are treated within an hour of their first heart attack symptom have the greatest chance of not only surviving their heart attack, but continuing to enjoy a good quality of life. If you think you could be having a heart attack, call Emergency Triple Zero (000) immediately.”

The $10 entry fee for the five kilometre event will also include a healthy chicken and salad lunch prepared by the ACT State Emergency Service. Register today at everydayhero.com.au/event/DarrenWall. The event will commence at 10am on Sunday 5 May, 2013.